55+ Social Work Career Resources: Job Search, Salary & Development Tools

Finding the right social work career resources can accelerate your professional growth and job search success.

Whether you’re a student exploring the field, preparing for licensure, or an experienced practitioner seeking your next opportunity, having access to quality career development tools makes all the difference.

This comprehensive guide compiles 55+ vetted social work career resources in one place, from specialized job boards and salary calculators to professional associations and continuing education opportunities. I’ve organized everything by category so you can quickly find exactly what you need, whether that’s understanding licensing requirements, researching competitive salaries, or connecting with specialty practice organizations.

Bookmark this page as your go-to reference for navigating every stage of your social work career.

These social work career resources are organized into five main categories to help you quickly find what you need: job search and employment tools, salary and compensation information, professional associations and certifications, educational and professional development resources, and government agencies and research resources.

Essential Social Work Career Resources for Job Searching

Start your search with these social work career resources designed to streamline your job hunt and help you stand out to employers.

Job Search Optimization Tools

• Jibber Jobber – free tool to track companies you apply to and manage your job search
• JobScan – analyzes how well your resume matches a job description
• O*NET online – online job description search tool

Social Work-Specific Job Boards

• NASW JobLink – National Association of Social Workers job board (member benefit)
• Social Work Job Bank – Dedicated social work job listings
• Social Work Job Spot – Social work employment opportunities
• Social Work/Social Service Jobs – Specialized job board for social service positions
• Above Average Social Work Services – Job postings and career resources
• Allied Health Careers – Healthcare and allied health positions including social work
• Idealist.org – Nonprofit job board with many social work positions
• National Council for Mental Wellbeing – Behavioral health job opportunities
• Network for Social Work Management – Management and leadership positions
• Non-Profit Career Network – Nonprofit sector jobs
• Philanthropy Careers – Jobs in the philanthropic sector
• Professionals for NonProfits – Nonprofit recruitment
• Public Service Careers – Government and public sector positions
• RewardingWork.org– Mission-driven career opportunities
• Work for Good – Nonprofit leadership positions

General Job Search Sites

• CareerBuilder – Major general job board
• Indeed – Comprehensive job search engine
• LinkUp – Job listings from company websites
• Monster – Major general job board
• What Color Is Your Parachute: The Net Guide – Internet job hunting resources

Government Job Boards

• Federal Government Job Search – Official federal government jobs
• NY State – Office of Mental Health – New York state mental health positions
• UN Jobs – United Nations employment opportunities

National & General Social Work Organizations

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Largest professional social work organization with 110,000+ members
• Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) – Develops and maintains social work licensing examinations
• International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) – Global organization for social justice and human rights
• Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA) – Support for clinical social workers
• The National Network for Social Work Managers – For social workers in management across human services

Specialty Practice Associations

Licensing & Certification Resources

Educational & Professional Development

Academic Programs & Resources

• Boston University School of Social Work – Online MSW degree program
• Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) – Forum for doctoral program directors

Career Resources for Continuing Education

Continuing education social work career resources help you stay current with evidence-based practices, meet state licensing requirements, expand your expertise into new practice areas, and advance your career into leadership or specialized roles.

Continuing Education & Training

• Classroom to Capitol – Social justice tool for community organizing, policy analysis, and advocacy

Publications & Learning Resources

Magazines & Newsletters

• The New Social Worker – Quarterly magazine for students and professionals
• Social Work Today – News and articles for social work professionals
• Current Psychiatry Online – Psychiatric news and research
• The Psychotherapy Networker – Magazine for therapists and counselors
• Social Justice Solutions – Articles and resources on social justice
• Social Work Helper – Resources and articles for social workers

Podcasts & Multimedia

• The Social Work Podcast – Interviews with experts on various social work topics
• inSocialWork Podcast Series (UB School of Social Work) – Biweekly conversations with prominent professionals

Research & Reference Tools

• Information for Practice – News and scholarship for social service professionals (NYU Silver School)
• APA Style – Citation format and reference examples
• NASW Code of Ethics – Professional ethical standards
• Great Nonprofits – Find, review, and research nonprofit organizations

Resume & Career Tools

• Free Social Work Resume Templates – Downloadable resume templates

Beyond traditional employment resources, these government and research social work career resources connect you to federal agencies, mental health organizations, and funding opportunities.

Government & Research Resources

Federal Government Agencies

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Office of the Surgeon General
• Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
• Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT)

Mental Health Resources

• National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center
• Mental Health and Psychology Resources (PsychCentral)

Funding Opportunities

• The Foundation Center –  (now Candid)
• The Grantsmanship Center
• NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts

This comprehensive collection of social work career resources supports your professional journey at every stage, from exploring the field as a student to advancing into specialized practice or leadership roles. Bookmark this page and return whenever you need trusted tools for job searching, salary research, professional development, or networking. Whether you’re a new graduate preparing for licensure or an experienced practitioner seeking new opportunities, these vetted resources will help you build a meaningful and rewarding social work career.

Here are answers to common questions about social work career resources and how to use these tools effectively to advance your career, whether you’re just starting out or looking to make your next professional move.

Social Work Career Resources FAQ

1. What are the best job boards for social workers?

The best social work-specific job boards include Social Work Job Bank, Social Service Jobs, Idealist.org for nonprofit positions, and the NASW JobLink. General sites like Indeed and LinkedIn also post many social work positions. For federal jobs, check USAJobs.gov. Specialized sites like Opportunity Knocks focus on nonprofit leadership roles, while RewardingWork.org features mission-driven positions.

2. How do I find social work salary information?

Use salary calculators like PayScale, Salary.com, and Salary Expert to research compensation based on your location, experience, and specialization. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides official government data on social worker salaries by state and metropolitan area. Glassdoor offers salary information along with company reviews. For detailed salary data broken down by practice area and years of experience, read our analysis of how much social workers earn, based on comprehensive NASW survey results. NASW also regularly publishes updated salary surveys for its members.

3. What is NASW and why should I join?

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest professional social work organization with over 110,000 members. Benefits include continuing education opportunities, professional liability insurance, career resources including a job board, advocacy for the profession, networking opportunities, and access to professional development resources. NASW membership also demonstrates professional commitment to employers.

4. Where can I find social work licensing requirements?

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) maintains information on licensing requirements for all U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Each state board of social work regulates licensing within that state. ASWB develops and maintains the standardized licensing exams (LMSW, LCSW, etc.) used nationwide.

5. How do I prepare for the LMSW licensing exam?

Preparing for the LMSW exam requires understanding the test format, content areas, and effective study strategies. The exam covers human development, assessment and intervention, professional values and ethics, and more. Our LMSW Exam Guide provides a complete roadmap for exam preparation, including recommended study materials, practice test resources, test-taking strategies, and state-specific requirements. Most candidates study 2-3 months before their exam date. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) also offers official practice tests and study materials.

6. What professional associations exist for specialized social work practice?

Many specialty associations serve specific practice areas: Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care (medical social work), Association of Oncology Social Work (cancer care), National Organization of Forensic Social Work (legal/criminal justice), Society for Spirituality and Social Work, Clinical Social Work Association (private practice), and the National Network for Social Work Managers (leadership roles).

7. Are there social work career resources for students?

Yes! The New Social Worker magazine specifically targets students and new professionals. Many schools offer online MSW programs like Boston University. The inSocialWork Podcast Series provides free educational content. Classroom to Capitol offers tools for community organizing and policy work. Most professional associations offer student membership rates with access to resources, conferences, and networking. The social work career resources in this guide are valuable throughout your education and into your professional career.

8. How can I optimize my social work job search?

Use Jibber Jobber to track applications and follow-ups. JobScan analyzes how well your resume matches job descriptions. O*NET Online provides detailed job descriptions to tailor your applications. Network through professional associations and LinkedIn. Set up job alerts on multiple boards. Consider working with social service employment agencies like Delta-T Group or Social Work p.r.n. for temporary or permanent placement. Combine these strategies with the comprehensive social work career resources listed above for maximum job search effectiveness.

9. What continuing education resources are available?

NASW offers extensive continuing education courses. Many specialty associations provide training in specific practice areas. The New Social Worker and Social Work Today regularly publish educational articles. The Social Work Podcast interviews experts on various topics. Information for Practice aggregates news and scholarship. Social Justice Solutions offers webinars and resources on current issues.

10. Where can I find funding for social work education or research?

The Foundation Center and Grantsmanship Center provide grant-seeking resources. The NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts lists federal research funding opportunities. Many professional associations offer scholarships and grants for members. Check with your school’s financial aid office for education-specific funding. State and local social work organizations may also offer scholarships.

11. What government agencies employ social workers?

Social workers are employed throughout government. Major employers include the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), Veterans Health Administration, state child welfare agencies, public health departments, corrections systems, and public school systems. Search USAJobs.gov for current federal openings.

I hope that this list proves useful to you. Do you happen to know of any additional resources that should be added? If so, please add them below.

Last updated: January 10, 2026

SaveSave